Upset re NHS text message

I wondered too!

Well? What happened? Did the OP find out what it was about or have I missed something?

If you have a hospital.procedure planned you may need to have a covid test but will be told to shield for 2 weeks before procedure

I know of someone who is shielding and was recently taken into hospital. He does not have a mobile phone, so was unable to receive shielding texts from NHS, nor was he able to keep in contact with his family and of course no visitors were allowed in hospital.
His family then had to take up valuable nursing time, by phoning the ward for updates. In the end they got him a phone.
There are advantages.

But Belinda, You could have a mobile phone for when you want to use it (stranded on the motorway in lashing rain?) without giving hospitals etc the number to send you texts on! Like having an umbrella but only using it when you have just had your hair done.

Feel the same as BelindaB re mobiles and assumption that everyone has one!!

You see? This is why I DO NOT have a mobile 'phone - and never will!

And yes, it is possible to have a life without one.

If anyone wants to give me a hospital appointment they either have to write to me or they have to telephone and speak to me that way.

Death to all mobiles.....

I am due to possibly have a kidney removed shortly and will have a test 2 days before I go in for surgery but all hospitals are different! I want mine done now as the hospitals are so safe and not full of people !!

My husband had a Covid test yesterday in preparation for a surgical procedure next wèek. I believe most hospitals are doing this now. It was all explained to him by phone and email, and he was given the option of a home test kit or a home visit if he preferred. He was also advised that his surgery would be cancelled if he did not have the Covid test first, or if it was positive. The test procedure was explained very thoroughly and completed, gently and painlessly, in less than 2 minutes. It's just an added level of protection for NHS staff and patients during the present situation,, however appointment letters, emails and texts may not always get to the patient in the correct order. So as others have said check with the individual departments, doctors or consultants etc and explain the difficulties of attending. I'm sure they'll be able to help you.

Casdon

My guess is that they want to re-scope at your annual review to check the abnormal cells haven’t changed, and they won’t do that without a Covid test first. If it is that then please don’t put it off, it will be done within a couple of weeks of your Covid test, so it won’t affect your move. I totally agree it’s all backwards if this is the case, you should get your appointment letter and an explanation first.

agree with this OP.
if i were you, i wouldn't be ignoring or postponing any longer abnormal cells.
i know you are busy moving but, surely your health comes first. our bodies don't wait for when it's convenient.
get it sorted out. tell them you cannot go for testing, ask someone to come to you.
good luck.
perhaps you are annoyed because you had put it to the back of your mind, and this has pressed its importance on you.

They would struggle to send me a text......I don't have a phone!

My mum was checked for covid as she was going in to have a cataract removed. The nurses came to her house the day before to carry out the test. She is 86. You should be able to arrange the same. I hope so.

My guess is that they want to re-scope at your annual review to check the abnormal cells haven’t changed, and they won’t do that without a Covid test first. If it is that then please don’t put it off, it will be done within a couple of weeks of your Covid test, so it won’t affect your move. I totally agree it’s all backwards if this is the case, you should get your appointment letter and an explanation first.

I had a routine dexa scan a few weeks back no Covid tests before or after Felt extremely safe however
No need to be afraid just ring them Probably is a scam If you re not expecting anything Nothing to get upset about

I have a hospital appointment this week too Bluecat and have also not been asked to take a Covid test, just to wear a mask, so different health trusts clearly do have different policies. I don't feel concerned as medical professionals will be sure to be adhering to the protocols; much safer than a supermarket trip I would think.

I have a hospital appointment on Wednesday about my arthritis. I asked if it was safe and the receptionist said that they ask you to wear a mask, they take your temperature and don't have people hanging around. No mention of any test. Surely if it was NHS policy, it would be nationwide?

I am still a bit jittery about going, to be honest.

I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. It is normal procedure to do Covid tests before another procedures to keep everyone safe. It sounds like there has been an admin hiccup and you have been sent a test appointment before your gastro enterology appointment has been sent out. Nothing to worry about at all.

Blimey, there are loads of people who had appointments in the pipeline that would have loved such a text because they would think that at least things are moving. Ok, you got it on a Friday so you have to wait for the weekend to get an answer but that is hardly the end of the world. Just ring and cancel the test on Monday if you don't want the Gastroenterology Appointment which is probably on its way. The poor old NHS can't do right for doing wrong.

If anyone sent me a text I wouldn't know because I don't understand/ can't receive the system.
I'm inclined to think it's a scam too. Unless you've given them your text connection details.

The NHS use of texting people is really annoying you can't reply and they often don't give enough info. I work in a GP I had a patient phone, he had a blood test booked for Thrusday (rarer than hens teeth) and an XRay for Friday. He got a text saying his appointment had been changed to the next Tuesday, NO IDEA WHICH APPOTINTMENT. We told him to call the Xray dpet, easier to get though couldn't get a humand, you can't get through to blodd test so in the end he had to go to the blood test (by taxi) if that one was OK the changed one it was the Xray. What a waste of people's time and money when all they had to add to the text was "your blood test" or "your Xray appointment"

Please be careful. There are lots of scams going around to make these odd times even worse. Do not worry about it over the weekend, but it sounds a suspicious way of working to me. On Monday, don’t reply to the text but ring the hospital direct and ask for the appointments section. They should have all the information you need and can refer you for transport assistance if needed.

If you are not expecting a hospital appointment in gastroenterology, then it’s a mistake.

If you are expecting an appointment, then it’s a Covid test before you go for your appointment - to keep you and everyone else safe. You can request a home test.

What is there to get upset about??

I do hope you get it all sorted out tomorrow. Friends who have had hospital appointments during the pandemic have all been sent for Covid tests first, so I have a feeling that has arrived ahead of the appointment. I know they are trying to make us do all our medical appointments by mobile phone but I guess there are going to be a lot missed. Not everybody over the age of 50 is constantly looking on their phones and I know a couple of people who just keep them in the car in case of a breakdown. It is so easy to miss.

I think if hospitals use texts it usually says its an NHS messaging service- id check number you had with hosp, then block other you got if its not genuine.

I would check too with hospital that number you got text from? If its not from them then block it.